Paedophile who absconded to Asia is finally jailed

A paedophile who avoided jail by fleeing to Asia is finally behind bars after being arrested by police in Cambodia.

Damien Midgley, 39, from Aberford near Leeds, sexually assaulted four young girls while working as a riding instructor in North Yorkshire.

He was arrested and charged with the offences but fled to Thailand before his trial began.

Midgley was eventually convicted in his absence and sentenced to six years in prison, but with his whereabouts unknown it was feared he might never be caught.

However after an 18 month investigation he was finally captured while drinking in a bar in Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Midgley was arrested by Cambodian Police while drinking in a bar

He was then put on a flight back to the UK and after landing on Tuesday night was taken straight to court where was jailed immediately for his original six-year sentence.

Jailing Midgley, who was tanned and sporting a pony tail, the Recorder of York Judge Paul Batty QC said it was "the most flagrant breach of bail one can imagine".

Your actions showed a cynical disregard for the criminal justice system and a callous disregard for your victimsJudge Paul Batty QC

The judge said: “I am quite satisified that this further delay added to the trauma of your young victims who had to relive the sexual indignities suffered at your hands.

“Your actions showed a cynical disregard for the criminal justice system and a callous disregard for your victims. You did not return for your trial and you were arrested in a bar in Camboadia. I am sure you would still be in a bar in Cambodia or elsewhere, had you not been detained.”

Damian Midgley was extradited back to Britain

Following Midgley’s sentencing, Detective Constable Vicki Hildred, who led the original investigation into the abuse, said his decision to abscond added to the trauma he had already inflicted on his victims.

“I would like to pay tribute to the four victims, who found the courage to speak out about what Damian Midgley did to them,” she said.

“It is important to highlight that these young people were subjected to giving evidence at Midgley’s trial in his absence, when he chose to flee the country.

“Without their bravery, he would never have been brought to justice. He abused his position as a horse riding instructor, betraying the trust of these children and their families.

“This was a protracted investigation that took a number of years to bring to trial. Even then, Midgley continued to deny all his offending.

“He has evaded capture for over 18 months but I hope that his sentence today offers some closure for these young people.”